Nex Gen F30 3 series may get 3 cylinder 150 horsepower turbo diesel

As BMW continues to take focus away from performance and power shifting it to MPG and efficiency, it should surprise no one that BMW is looking into even more frugal/smaller diesels. Auto Express is reporting that the next gen 3 series may feature a 1.5 liter 3 cylinder turbo diesel pushing 150 hp. This would undercut the smallest diesel now offered, the 2.0 liter 320d, by a half liter while offering similar performance and cleaner emissions. At this rate, soon BMW's will be running on single cylinder motors powered by our tears.

Wow, you read my mind. I was talking about bmw's direction with friends last week. I ended up saying BMW is becoming the Toyota of German car makers. They are building more and more different models, they continue to design smaller and smaller powerplants. Also it has become so easy to aquire a BMW, with the cheap leases. Everyone and their mom has a BMW.

Wow, you read my mind. I was talking about bmw's direction with friends last week. I ended up saying BMW is becoming the Toyota of German car makers. They are building more and more different models, they continue to design smaller and smaller powerplants. Also it has become so easy to aquire a BMW, with the cheap leases. Everyone and their mom has a BMW.

It is BMW's new Scion division. But they will have the BMW emblem on them, really a shame for their brand image.

I've never been particularly interested in their brand image, I had two Bimmers in high school (an E36 my junior year and an E90 senior year) so I think hearing "OMG you have a BMW!?!?" all the time got old for me.

With that said, even I think front wheel drive economy-oriented pieces of crap would be a terrible thing to slap a BMW badge on. I wish they had the balls to show environmentalists the finger rather than pander to them with $#@! like the hybrid X6 (who in the hell is that even for?)

Now, with THAT said, I think it's about time they brought smaller engines to the US. The rest of the world has had 4 cylinder gas and diesel BMWs forever. BMW NA brings over the least frugal diesel and then points to disappointing 335d sales as proof that Americans don't want diesels. I'm glad the X5 35d is selling fairly well, maybe they'll finally get with the program.

I've never been particularly interested in their brand image, I had two Bimmers in high school (an E36 my junior year and an E90 senior year) so I think hearing "OMG you have a BMW!?!?" all the time got old for me.

With that said, even I think front wheel drive economy-oriented pieces of crap would be a terrible thing to slap a BMW badge on. I wish they had the balls to show environmentalists the finger rather than pander to them with $#@! like the hybrid X6 (who in the hell is that even for?)

Now, with THAT said, I think it's about time they brought smaller engines to the US. The rest of the world has had 4 cylinder gas and diesel BMWs forever. BMW NA brings over the least frugal diesel and then points to disappointing 335d sales as proof that Americans don't want diesels. I'm glad the X5 35d is selling fairly well, maybe they'll finally get with the program.

I hear ya. I got a new BMW when I turned 16, but were I went to school that was nothing, some kids were rolling 911's.

The brand image I am referring to, is the racing heritage. Front-wheel drive small commuter cars do not fit into that brand image. But hey, they want to be known as a big car manufacturer, the German Toyota.

The X5d diesel has inflated sales numbers because of the eco-credit. My sister bought a LCI X5d not to long ago, honestly it is overrated. I think that engine is better suited in the 335d. She is going to put it up for sale soon.

I'm sure some 20% of Bmw drivers almost never floor the gas pedal. None of them on this forum, of course. If they consume less oil based refining products, that is better for me and everyone who doesn't like high fuel demand derived prices. The fuel should be saved for them who need it. Us. I require more fuel efficient engines and cars for those who can do the saving part. If they can contribute more for the common good in environment, oil price, economic growth.. the better for them and us.

I think the image loss of having other than powerful engines is small and a bit of last century. Technically it is a great achievement if they can pull that power out of a small 3 cylinder diesel engine. That would have been impossible to even imagine a couple of decades ago.

Now, with THAT said, I think it's about time they brought smaller engines to the US. The rest of the world has had 4 cylinder gas and diesel BMWs forever. BMW NA brings over the least frugal diesel and then points to disappointing 335d sales as proof that Americans don't want diesels. I'm glad the X5 35d is selling fairly well, maybe they'll finally get with the program.

I agree, have them bring over the 4 cylinder diesels and all the diesels really but by the time they get here they will be down to 500 cc's and hybrid something or other.

I'm sure some 20% of Bmw drivers almost never floor the gas pedal. None of them on this forum, of course. If they consume less oil based refining products, that is better for me and everyone who doesn't like high fuel demand derived prices. The fuel should be saved for them who need it. Us. I require more fuel efficient engines and cars for those who can do the saving part. If they can contribute more for the common good in environment, oil price, economic growth.. the better for them and us.

I think the image loss of having other than powerful engines is small and a bit of last century. Technically it is a great achievement if they can pull that power out of a small 3 cylinder diesel engine. That would have been impossible to even imagine a couple of decades ago.

I dont think the argument is that we are dissapointed in diesel as the powerplant. More like, the fact it's a tiny diesel engine starting off making only 150 hp.

I wouldnt mind the I6 turbo diesel in the 335d, I think it's great. But $#@!, a 3 cylinder 1.5L sounds so weak as a platform. It's going to be the 328i of the future, if so, they better come out with a better 335i, and it better not be underpowered.

I dont think the argument is that we are dissapointed in diesel as the powerplant. More like, the fact it's a tiny diesel engine starting off making only 150 hp.

I wouldnt mind the I6 turbo diesel in the 335d, I think it's great. But $#@!, a 3 cylinder 1.5L sounds so weak as a platform. It's going to be the 328i of the future, if so, they better come out with a better 335i, and it better not be underpowered.

I know, I just had nothing else good to say. I mean really, what is there to say about FWD BMW's and WEAK ass motors and PUSSY marketing. Their new JOY $#@! reminds me of Toyota's safety team bull$#@! ads after the Prius throttle thing.

Sorry BMW, where is the JOY in under-steering into a $#@!ing wall because of lame-ass suspension tuning and an open differential?